In the United Kingdom, tensions over migration are running high. Another wave of anti-migrant protests broke out on Sunday, just a day after scuffles between demonstrators and police.
On Saturday, thousands of anti-racism campaigners turned out to counter a series of anti-migration rallies, reflecting the deep divisions across the country.
The protests come as the Labour government unveils plans for a new independent panel to fast-track appeals by rejected asylum seekers. Right now, it takes over a year on average for a case to be heard, with taxpayers footing the bill for accommodation in the meantime.
Officials say the reforms could help cut down a massive backlog of more than 51,000 pending cases, while also speeding up deportations for those with no legal right to remain. The government also plans to phase out the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers — a system that’s costing billions each year.
That pledge became even more urgent this week after a landmark court ruling ordered the removal of asylum seekers from a hotel in Epping, near London.
With immigration topping public opinion polls as the country’s biggest concern, the government has promised tougher timelines. Under the new plan, appeals must be resolved within 24 weeks.
All this comes as fresh figures show a record 110,000 asylum applications were filed in the year to June — the highest ever recorded.
